LONG-TERM RESULTS AFTER PROBING FOR CONGENITAL NASOLACRIMAL DUCT OBSTRUCTION

The long term results of probing for congenital nasolacrimal duct obst ruction were reviewed using a parental questionnaire issued to both tr eated and age-matched control groups. On follow up 4-13 years after pr obing in childhood 30% of patients still had symptoms of epiphora or d ischarge. Surprisingly, a similar high symptom rate was found in the c ontrols, such that there was no statistically significant difference i n the rate of symptoms between the two groups. Probing had therefore a pparently reduced the symptom rate to a level close to normal for the age group concerned. All studies on the incidence of congenital nasola crimal duct obstruction must be interpreted with reference to the know n high rate of spontaneous resolution as a clear trend has been demons trated towards a lower incidence of symptoms the longer the follow up after probing. This finding would support a policy of delay before fur ther intervention in patients with mild residual symptoms after a tech nically successful probing.